Recently-discovered specimens from Baie de Sakalava are provisionally assigned to X. grandidieri, a species previously known only from a single specimen with the type locality "Madagascar" (Glaw and Vences 2007; F. Glaw pers. comm.April 2011), on the basis that two other restricted-range species described by Mocquard have been found at the same locality, providing evidence that collections took place within or near this site (F. Glaw pers. comm. April 2011). These records were treated as belonging to X. mocquardi in Glaw and Vences (2007). Xenotyphlops mocquardi is itself likely to be a junior synonym of this species, as it falls within the range of variation observed within more recently-collected Baie de Sakalava specimens assigned to X. grandidieri (M. Vences pers. comm. January 2011; F. Glaw pers. comm. April 2011). If this is the case, this will represent a slight range extension to the south (M. Vences pers. comm. January 2011).

Justification:
Listed as Critically Endangered as the known extent of occurrence is 28 km², the area of occupancy is less than 10 km², and it occurs at a single location where it is threatened by deforestation of its dune habitat for charcoal production.

This species has been found at a single site, Baie de Sakalava, in the far north of Madagascar (Megson et al. 2009), where it ranges from sea level to 50 m in elevation. It is likely to be endemic to a tiny area in the north of the island, around Antsiranana (M. Vences pers. comm. January 2011). Its extent of occurrence may be as low as 28 km².

It is a common species. If the species occurs within forest in Forêt d'Orangea, the population may be declining as a result of loss and degradation of this habitat; however it is unclear what degree of disturbance this snake can tolerate.

This burrowing snake has been found in forested or shrubby dunes close to the coast, where it has been reported from sandy soil (F. Glaw pers. comm. May 2011). It is likely that it occurs within the adjacent Forêt d'Orangea (F. Glaw pers. comm. May 2011), which is characterized by humid lowland forest.

This snake is threatened by severe habitat loss resulting from deforestation of the dune habitat for charcoal production, as it is not believed to occur in unforested areas. It is potentially threatened by the development of mining (e.g. for sand) in the area.

This species does not benefit from any conservation measures. It is not known from any protected areas. This snake's forested dune habitat should be preserved as a matter of urgency to limit the impacts of human activities. Research is needed to clarify the taxonomy of this and X. mocquardi, to investigate population trends and to establish whether it occurs more widely than is presently known.